L.A. Zoo Observes 10th Anniversary of Endangered Species Day May 15; Guests Invited to a 2-Day Event That Highlights Efforts to Save Four Unique Species

Guests Invited to a 2-Day Event That Highlights Efforts to Save Four
Unique Species

In honor of the 10th Anniversary of Endangered Species Day on May 15, The
Los Angeles Zoo will be hosting a two-day event educating Zoo guests on the
importance of preventing the loss of endangered species and preserving the
ecosystems these species depend upon. The Zoo will focus on four species it
is actively fighting to keep from going extinct in the wild: Southern
Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog, Peninsular Pronghorn, California Condor, and
Western Lowland Gorilla.

Kids and parents alike are invited to take a deeper look at these special
animals and the challenging issues they face in the wild through a plethora
of interactive activities held on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16.
Guests can also take away information on how they can roll up their sleeves
and help the threatened animals in their own neighborhood.

Scheduled Activities:

10:30 a.m. – Gorilla Breakfast – Come observe the Zoo’s family of western
lowland gorillas as they munch on a nutritious breakfast while a docent
leads a discussion on the complex diet of a gorilla and how it forages for
its food in the wild. The wild gorilla population is currently facing
extinction due to habitat loss. The mining of coltan, a dull metallic ore
used in cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices, is devastating
the area in which gorillas live in Central Africa. Guests are encouraged to
do their part to help the gorilla by bringing in old cell phones to be
recycled, in an onsite recycling bin, in an effort to reduce the need for
additional coltan mining.

11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. – California Condor Chat– Guests can swing by the
World of Birds Theatre to learn more about California condors and the work
the L.A. Zoo does in the form of captive breeding programs, treating sick,
wild birds, and educating the public on how they can play a part in keeping
this species alive. California condors, one of North Americas most
magnificent birds with a wing span of up to nine feet, are facing
extinction due to exposure to lead ammunition found in the animal carcasses
they consume and microtrash they collect in their environment. Flight
demonstrations, animal keeper chats featuring unique facts about the
California condor, and a microtrash activity station are just a few things
that will help educate guests on this unique, endangered species.

12:30 p.m. – Peninsular Pronghorn Station- The peninsular pronghorn may be
the fastest animal in North America, but they are quickly facing extinction
in the wild due to habitat fragmentation. With less than 100 left in the
wild, this critically endangered species needs our help. The L.A. Zoo has
one of the most successful pronghorn breeding programs in the country and
continues to work with ENDESU (Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustenable)
to maintain genetically diverse wild and captive populations. Guests can
visit the peninsular pronghorn habitat to listen to an informative talk and
participate in hands-on activities.

1:30 p.m. – Southern Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Presentation – With fewer
than 500 adults remaining in the wild, this species is listed as critically
endangered at both the state and federal levels due to destructive forces
such as habitat loss, wildfires, pesticides, introduced species, and
chytrid fungus. Animal care staff will give a presentation about their
participation in the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Recovery Act as well as
explaining what parents and kids can do to help this animal thrive, such as
not using certain pesticides, refraining from littering, and disposing of
hazardous materials like car oils and batteries appropriately.

About the Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at
the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission
is $19 for adults and $14 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the
L.A. Zoo Web site at www.lazoo.org.